Congratulations to HBCU Queen, Katiya Laster, Crowned Miss Bennett College 2021-2022! (20614 hits)
BENNETT COLLEGE CROWNS 42ND MISS BENNETT COLLEGE Graduating senior Katiya Laster is crowned the 2021-22 Miss Bennett College
Greensboro, N.C. (November 22, 2021) – Bennett College is honored to name and present graduating senior Katiya Laster as its newly crowned 42nd Miss Bennett College. MS. Laster received her crown during the Coronation on Saturday, November 13.
Bennett College is one of the nation's elite women colleges and historically Black colleges and universities, with an illustrious legacy, contributed by its traditions. One of Bennett College's longest-standing traditions, Coronation, where Miss Bennett College and members of the Royal Court are announced and crowned. Miss Bennett College is elected by the student body to serve as a member of the Executive Team of the Student Government Association.
Miss Bennett College's primary responsibilities include: • Providing community service opportunities for the student body. • Serving as a Marshall for the Academic Cultural Enrichment Series (ACES). • Serving as the Queens' Association president.
"It is such an honor to be recognized as 2021-22 Miss Bennett College," Laster said. "To think of the bountiful opportunities this title will afford me to have, I am at a loss of words. Throughout my journey at Bennett College, I have grown personally and professionally, and now I have the opportunity to make an impact on a place that has shaped my future for success."
Laster is a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina. She is the only child of Katina Carr and William Laster Jr. She graduated cum-laude from Northwest Cabarrus High School in Concord, North Carolina, in 2018 and is a Journalism and Media Studies student with a minor in sociology.
During her time at Bennett College, Laster has developed a passion for leadership and community service. She has served as a student ambassador for the Admissions and Enrollment office, freshwoman class senator of the Student Government Association, vice president, co-coordinator, and social media chair of the Wonder Girls Mentoring Program.
In addition to Laster's leadership roles, she has excelled academically at Bennett College. Laster is a Bennett College Presidential Scholar, an honor student, and a recent recipient of the Tiffany & Co. About Love Scholarship from BeyGOOD and the Shawn Carter Foundation. Laster is also a Frederick Douglas Global Scholar and studied the history of protest in South Africa. The U.S. Laster will continue her South African history and political studies in Cape Town as a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholar.
Laster's campaign for Miss Bennett College, "Saved by the Belle," helped facilitate her mission to embrace differences and to further strengthen and advocate for the student body on campus and beyond. Laster plans to continue fostering relationships with students and alumna, focusing on professional and career development, creating meaningful community service events and collaborating with students while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
Upon graduation, Laster has accepted a two-year management training program in marketing.
2021-22 Elected members of the Bennett College Royal Court are: Ja'Nylah Johnson ‘22, Miss Roya Blue and White Christie Andrews ’22, Miss Senior Kaylin Butler ’23, Miss Junior Trinity Cromwell ’24, Miss Sophomore Raven Sumner ’25, Miss Freshwoman
